Food Labels: Test Your GMO Knowledge

Genetically modified foods are a touchy topic. Cloned cows or robotic pigs haven't been approved for public consumption, obviously, but pest-resistant corn can cause its fair share of controversy. How much do you know about genetically modified foods -- and could they be on your plate as we speak?

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Question 1 of 10

When were the first genetically modified foods available in the United States?

1970s

1980s

1990s

The GMO movement kicked off in the '90s with an engineered vegetable called the Flavr Savr.

Question 2 of 10

What was the first genetically modified food to be sold commercially?

corn

tomato

The Flavr Savr was a rot-resistant tomato. First sold in 1994, it wasn't profitable and was on the market for only a few years.

potato

Question 3 of 10

What is triple-stack corn?

corn that has three times the kernels of regular corn

corn that has been genetically modified to have extra vitamin C

corn that has built-in insect and weed control

Triple-stack corn has been genetically implanted with weed and insect control. It's one of the best-selling corn seeds in the United States.

Question 4 of 10

What nutrient is golden rice packed with?

vitamin A

Golden rice, which was introduced in 2000, is fortified with vitamin A. In 2005, another version came out with extra beta carotene. Neither of these products has hit the market yet, though.

vitamin B

vitamin C

Question 5 of 10

Researchers have produced genetically engineered pigs whose meat has elevated levels of what?

omega-3 fatty acids

The transgenic pigs that produce omega-3 fatty acids have not yet been approved for human consumption.

protein

antioxidants

Question 6 of 10

What is the most commonly genetically modified crop in the United States?

soybeans

Soybeans, which are modified to be resistant to herbicides, are the most commonly modified crop in the U.S.

corn

apples

Question 7 of 10

According to the USDA, what percentage of the soybeans grown in the United States are genetically modified?

74 percent

89 percent

In 2006, 89 percent of American soybeans were genetically modified, the highest percentage of any crop.

98 percent

Question 8 of 10

About how many genetically engineered food crops have been approved by the USDA?

15

25

40

The USDA has approved more than 40 transgenic crops for sale in the United States.

Question 9 of 10

What's one way that cheese can be genetically engineered?

It can be made "vegetarian."

Chymosin, the main enzyme in rennet, is usually extracted from animals. But now it can be genetically engineered, so the cheese is technically vegetarian.

It can be mold-resistant.

It can have 20 percent extra protein.

Question 10 of 10

In 2008, a large group of investors led a protest against what genetically engineered crop?

sugar beets

The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility initiated a campaign against genetically modified sugar beets, which would produce the sugar in thousands of popular foods. In September 2009, a federal court ruled against the sugar beets.